2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Master’s Degree Schools
[Natural Resources & Conservation](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong natural resources & conservation education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1206 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for natural resources & conservation students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the natural resources & conservation degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
For return on investment in natural resources & conservation, no school beat California State University Fullerton this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $62,270 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural resources & conservation, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $14,430. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,563 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,563 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in natural resources & conservation will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $16,471. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $36,873 early in their careers. Set against $16,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Stanford University one of the best values for natural resources & conservation. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Florida International University earned the #6 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $36,007. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida landed the #7 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $37,214. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,840 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $36,048. That is a strong return on a $18,840 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #9 among the best values for natural resources & conservation. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $57,079. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
American Public University System ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $16,709 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $63,243. That is a strong return on a $16,709 median debt.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #11 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $21,315 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $32,913. That is a strong return on a $21,315 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine landed the #12 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,477 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $36,304 early in their careers. Set against $12,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
East Central University landed the #13 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,840 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $42,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,083, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $23,439. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $50,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #15 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $12,044 in student loans. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $60,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #16 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Students borrow a median of $16,533 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $55,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
University Of The Virgin Islands came in at #17 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the rural area of Charlotte Amalie, University Of The Virgin Islands is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,957, while out-of-state students pay about $16,557. Students borrow a median of $20,300 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of The Virgin Islands generally make around $49,734. That is a strong return on a $20,300 median debt. University Of The Virgin Islands admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #18 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $62,536. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $26,931. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #20 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $23,917. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $54,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Students borrow a median of $23,352 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $40,782. Set against $23,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #22 spot for natural resources & conservation value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,184 to complete the natural resources & conservation program here. Early-career natural resources & conservation graduates make about $49,651. That is a strong return on a $17,184 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value natural resources & conservation schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $16,577. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $59,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,577 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming earned the #24 position for value in natural resources & conservation this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $47,922. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Georgia came in at #25 for value in natural resources & conservation this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural resources & conservation graduates is $22,646. Natural Resources & Conservation graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $45,939 early in their careers. Set against $22,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Natural Resources & Conservation Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in natural resources & conservation:
Other Natural Resources & Conservation Degree Levels
Explore the best-value natural resources & conservation schools at other degree levels:
View All Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1206 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 81 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
